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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 124 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: roll · rest · pass · ruler · chip · spell · lie · charge

  1. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  2. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  3. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. We're on a ________________ here.
  6. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  9. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  10. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  11. The tickets are free of ________________.
  12. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  13. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  14. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  15. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  16. How do you ________________ your surname?
  17. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  18. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  19. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  20. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  21. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  22. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  23. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  24. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. charge — electricity
  3. chip — in a computer
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. roll — on a roll
  6. rest — what's left
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. rest — a break
  9. charge — in control
  10. pass — to spend time
  11. charge — a price
  12. spell — a short time
  13. lie — an untruth
  14. chip — to eat
  15. spell — magic
  16. spell — letters
  17. pass — a permit
  18. pass — to succeed
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. rest — what's left
  21. chip — for betting
  22. roll — a list
  23. roll — a cake
  24. lie — to recline

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com